Crown piece for helmets



Jan. 31, 1961 G. E. MORGAN, JR

CROWN PIECE FOR HELMETS Filed June 18, 1956 INVENTOR. 652mm Z. MORG'RN JR,

United States Patent O CROWN PIECE FOR HELMETS Gerard E. Morgan, In, Glenvlew, 111., assignor to John ,T. Riddell, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 18, 1956, Ser. No. 592,079

5 Claims. (Cl. 2-3) This invention relates to a crown piece for protective helmets, particularly to a crown piece of soft, resilient material adapted to protect the head of a wearer of the helmet from uncomfortable contact with and from injury by suspension elements of the helmet.

Workers in many occupations and participants in many sports regularly wear helmets to protect the head. Generally speaking, such helmets comprise a shell of rigid or semi-rigid material which is suported on the head in such a maner that it is spaced at a suitable distance from the head. Although the shells of some such helmets are padded on the inside in such a way that the padding contacts the wearer's head and thus absorbs the shock of blows imparted to the outside of the shell, many helmet shells are supported by series of straps secured to the shell and to one another in a manner such that the straps rest on the wearer's head and support the shell at a de- The present invention is concerned with a crown piece which can be used with any crown suspension for a helmet which has a central opening in the suspension regardless of whether or not it is adjustable. The new crown piece protects the wearer's head completely from any discomfort caused by knotty or hard elements of the suspension adjacent the central opening. It can be removed easily and quickly to permit unhindered adjustment of an adjustable suspension and then reinstalled without difiieulty.

The crown piece of the invention comprises a soft, flexible, resilient core adapted to be positioned in the central opening of a crown suspension with its longitudinal axis extending through the opening and, preferably, of cross section conforming generally to that of the central opening. The core is provided with a pair of laterally extending flanges integral with its ends which define a groove between them into which the sections of the suspension adjacent the central opening extend when the core is positioned in the central opening. The flanges and the core are dimensioned so that the flanges extend outward from the core on opposite sides of the suspension elements for a distance suflicient to prevent accidental dislodgement of the crown piece. The flange adjacent the wearer's head, herein sometimes refered to as a "first" flange, is wide enough to cover the hard or knotty sections of the suspension adjacent the central opening and thus protects the wearer from discomfort or injury which they might otherwise cause. The other flange, herein sometimes resired distance from the Such an amngememeot 80 .fercd to as a second flange, is often, but is not necesstraps is generally referred to broadly as a suspension as distinguished from mere padding. The better types of suspensions cushion effectively blows received on the outer surface of the shell and support the shell itself in such manner that it is diflicult forit to be driven into contact with the wearer's head by even a severe blow on the external surface of the shell.

Most helmet suspensions comprise two essential parts. One part, often referred to as a head suspension, flts around the wearer's head at approximately the level of an ordinary hat band and serves principally to cushion lateral components of thrusts or blows on the shell. The other part, often referred to as a crown suspension, fits over the top of the wearer's head and serves to cushion tigendownward component of thrusts or blows on the s e relatively inelastic fabric straps, the lower ends of which are secured at appropriate intervals around the shell at approximately the level of the head suspension and which extend upwardly and inwardly so that each lies in con- Many crown suspensions consist of a series of tact with the crown of the head of a wearer of the helmet. The crown straps are either secured together where they ,meet at the top of a wearer's head or engage a separate element in such a way that their effective length can be justed to permit fitting the crown suspension to an ndividual wearer's head. One such adjustable arrangement is shown in US. Patent No. 2,250,275.

Many crown suspensions, especially those which are adjustable, are formed with a central opening in the suspension surrounded by adjacent sections of the suspension, the adjacent sections comprising seams, cords or other elements more or less hard and knotty. These hard elements are prone to press onto the top of the wearer's head and cause severe discomfort or even injury, especially when the helmet shell receives a blow with a sizeable downward component. Various means have been devised in an attempt to protect the wearer's head from l sarily, somewhat narrower than the first flange. The flanges, as well as the core itself, are made of soft, resilient, flexible material, such as soft rubber, not only to provide comfortable contact with the wearer's head but also so that the second flange can be deformed easily and passed through the central opening of the suspension to install or remove the crown piece.

It is not essential that the core of the crown piece fit the central opening of the suspension accurately but the flanges should be of suflicient width to retain the core in the opening and to furnishadcquate protection to the wearer for all normal variations in size of the central opening caused by any adjustment of the crown suspension to fit an individual head size. However, by proper dimensioning of the crown piece, particularly of the outside diameter of the core and of the second flange, the piece can be caused to function as an important guard against certain unsafe practices in the wearing of helmets wherein an adjustment of the crown suspension is 'accompanied by a change in the size of the central opening of the suspension. For greatest safety and comfort in the wearing of such helmets, it is essential that the crown suspension be adjusted properly so that the head suspension contacts the wearer's "cad at neither too high nor too low a level. If the crown suspension is adjusted so that the size of the central opening is increased unduly, the head suspension contacts the wearer's head at such a low level that the space remaining between the crown of the helmet shell and the crown of the head is so little that even a moderate blow on the outside of the shell may drive it into harmful contact with the head. On the otherhand, when the crown suspension is adjusted so that the size of the central opening is decreased unduly, the head suspension contacts the wearer's head at such a high level that the lower parts of the shell are not located properly with respect to the wearer's head and may be driven into harmful contact therewith. Under any circumstances, when the location of the head suspension on the wearer's head is either higher or lower than the location for which it was designed, the fit of the helmet on the head is interfered with seriously and maximum 5 protection is not aflorded the wearer.

By malcing the crown piece with a core of predetermined, s'u'flicicntly large outer diameter, the minimum size to which the central opening of the crown suspension can be adjusted and the crown piece still mounted therein is limited and this, in limits the upper level at which the head suspension can contact the-wearers head; fithklng the crown piece with a second flang or prc'detel-mined, su'thcieutly small diameter, the minimum to which the central opening of thesuspeh ienean e afdjuste'd and the crown piece stilt retainedtheIein-isiinriteG and the wearer is thus warned when he has adjusted the crown suspension so that the tread ontacts the head at too low a level for greatest safety. The crown piece also provides a further safety'fcalute i tl'that, should the crown suspension fan or should the adjustment means accidentally become or erases under impact of a blow on the shell, the-'crhvnl piece remains as a soft, resilient pt'ntec'tive pad' betweenthe crown of the shell and'tha of the heaa until the helmetean be removed and re aireu.

The invention can be understood readily by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein, in the interest or clarity, certain features are shown on a somewhat exaggerated scale and wherein: I

Figure 1 is an elevation of a protective helmet with which the crown piece of the invention can he used;

Figure 2 is an elevation of a crown piece of the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line IIIIII of Figure 2; v

Figure 4 is a sectionalcl'evation similar to Figure 3 but showing a slightly dilferent modification of the invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation or the helmet of Figure! taken along the line V-V and showing details of a crown suspension with which the piece or the invention can be used;

Figure 6 is an elevation similar to Figure 5 but with a crown piece of the invention installed in the central opening of the crown suspension; and

Figure 7 is a partial sectional elevation taken along the line VIIVII of Figure 6 showing the relationship of certain of the parts. i V

Referring to Figure 1, the helmet illustrated is of conventional design having a semi-rigid resinous shell 11 provided with car ports 12 and with integral, downwardly depending jaw sections 14 to cover the wearer's jaws. The helmet illustrated is provided with a conventional chin strap 15 and jaw pads 16. The helmet of Figure 'l is provided internally with a conventional suspension means to position it on a wearers'head in such fashion that the shell 11 is at all times maintained in spaccd relationship with the wearer's head to absorb the shock of blows imparted to the externalsurfaceof the shell.

The particular suspension shown in Figure 5 comprises a band 21 of inelastic fabric of suitable width secured around the inside of the shell,- e.g. with rivets '22, so that it forms a series of tightly stretched chordal elements ,extending between adjacent rivets. A second hand 23 is located inside the first band 21 and is secured thereto, e.g. by sewing, at points 24 intermediate each-adjacent pair of rivets 22 so that it litowise forms: series of tightly stretched chordal elements extending bctwecnadjacent intermediate points of the first set of chordalclements. The bands 21 and 23 are of such length and installedinsuchsmannerthsttheinncr-bendzdfits around the head of the wearer with'only slight deformation of the chordal'elemente in @131 the poet-t tion occupied by the band of s conveutionar'hst, the length of the band 23 determining thlchesd. shoot the helmet. Thesectionofthcbmidflgthe wearer's forehead is sometimennestlied'wtth eofcleather 31 for greater comfort. g I

The suspension illustritted'hr'flgtne s-mecomprises a crown suspension Wot-two! erown'sttaps 25, one end of each of which is secured to the helmet shell, e.g. by the rivets 22, at approximately the level of the head band 23. The crown straps 25 extend inwardly and upwardly of the shell and are adapted to lie flat on the crown of a wearer's head. In 'the illustration given, each crown strap 25 terminates at its upper end in an adjusting cord loop 26 formed by folding the end of the strap back on itself and securing it with stitches 30. An adjusting cord 27 is threaded through the loops 26 'a'ndtied as at 28, thus leaving a central opening 29 at the top of the crown suspension. By adjusting the knot 28 the length of the adjusting cord 27 can be altered, the size of the central opening 29 can be increased or decreased and the suspension thus adjusted to fit the heads of individuals of differing crown sizes.

The crown piece with which the invention is concerned and which'is illustrated particularly in Figures 2, 3 and '4 comprises a core 32 of soft, resilient, flexible material having first and second laterally extending flanges 33 and as, respectively, integral with the ends thereof. The flanges 33 and 3'4 define between them a groove 35 which encircle's'the core 32. The core 32 preferably contains a longitudinal bore 36 which, in one modification, is closed at its end adjacent the first flange 33.

The crown iece is installed in the central opening of the crown suspension, e .g. in the opening 29 of Figure 5, by defo'nhing the flexible second flange 34 in such a way that it can be pushed through the central opening 29 which it is allowed to assume its laterally extending position with'rcspe'ct to the core with the adjusting cord 27 and the knot 28 located in the groove 35 after the fakhion shown in Figui'e 7. The adjusting cord loops 26 and thestitches 3t) also lie within the groove 35 with only the sections of the crown straps 25 extending out of groove 35" and contacting the wearers head. Because of the bore 36 in the core 32, the crown piece can be" installed in'th'e central opening of the crown suspensio r't, and removed when desired, somewhat more easily than when the core is solid, although a crown piece without a bore can be employed if desired.

' The location of the first flange 33 with respect to the elements of the crown suspension after the crown piece has been installed in the central opening of the suspension is shown clearly Figure 6. It will be noticed in Figure' 6 that no part of the adjusting cord 27 nor of the stdj ustingcord loops 26 can contact the wearer's head lgec'tluse they a'r covcre'd completely by the first flange 33 of the crown piece. Thus the wearer's head can c'ohtiict onl the soft, resilient first flange 33 and the portiot ls of the crowristraps 25 which are entirely free of oi o'tlir iri'egularities causing hard spots in them. Any discomfort oi injury which might be caused by such harder elements of the crown suspension is thus prevciite'd entirely. Fiu'thermore, the crown piece can be 'r'er'r'r'ov'ed at M11 and the length of the adjusting cord easily and the crown piece then reinstalled. The fifs't fii'ng'e'33isctinver'iiently made relatively thin, e.g about oiifeiglitlt inch, and is often beveled on its outer edgo on the side contacting. the wearer's head. When fashioned way, because of its soft, flexible, resilientit conforms easily to the outward and downward curvature of the crown straps 25, the straps and piece providing a maximum of comfort and protection to the wearer.

It noted that in the modification of the crown piece previously described the entire surface of the piece which contacts the wearer's head is of the same soft, resilient material as the rest of the piece. In one modification, shown more particularly in Figure 4, a part or all of the contacting surface consists of a material different from the soft, flexible, resilient material of which the core 32 and the second flange 34 are composed. In the modification of Figure 4 a circular piece of leather 13 ls-cemcnted ine-euitably molded depression formed in the surface of the first flange 33. The utilization of such a circular sheet of leather is often advantageous, especially when a minimum number, e.g. three, crown straps are used in forming the crown suspension. Because the leather does not stretch readily, there is little tendency for the leather faced flange to become distended upward between the crown straps so that the pressure exerted by the straps is spread evenly over the head surface covered by the first flange 33. Such a leather-faced flange also has a more decorative appearance and, in the case of some individuals, may have a more comfortable feel in contact with the head than does a rubber surface. It is, of course, apparent that the entire first flange 33 can be formed of leather or other suitable inelastic but still soft and flexible material. if desired.

Although the crown piece has been described with particular reference to the use of soft rubber in making it, it is to be understood that any other material having the desired degree of softness, flexibility and resiliency, such as certain synthetic resins, can be employed if desired. Generally speaking, it is desired that the crown piece be as light in weight as possible and for this reason a foamed or sponge material is sometimes desirable. The presence of the bore 36 in the core 32 also reduces the weight of the crown piece appreciably.

I claim:

1. In a protective helmet having a shell adapted to encircle a wearers head in spaced relationship thereto, the combination including: a crown suspension consisting essentially of a plurality of flexible crown suspension straps each secured at one end inside the shell at approximately the level with respect to a wearers head of a normal hat band and each extending upwardly and inwardly of the shell adapted to lie flat on the crown of a wearer's head; means securing 'thanpper'elids of the crown suspension straps with respect to one another spaced from the shell and providing a central opening of adjustable diameter in the crown suspension to enable the suspension to be fitted to the heads of the different wearers; a core of soft, flexible, resilient material extending through the central opening of the crown suspension having a diameter no greater than the diameter of the central opening when adjusted to its smallest diameter; and a pair of flanges of flexible material each integral with an end of the core extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core and each having a diameter greater than the diameter of the central opening at its maximum diameter, the distance between the flanges being slightly greater than the thickness of the ends of the crown suspension straps and securing means adjacent the central opening.

2. In a protective helmet having a shell adapted to encircle a wearers head in spaced relationship thereto, the combination including: a crown suspension consisting essentially of a plurality of flexible crown suspension straps each secured at one end inside the shell at approximately the level with respect to a wearers head of a normal hat band and each extending upwardly and inwardly of the shell adapted to lie flat on the crown of a wearers head; means securing the upper ends of the crown suspension straps with respect to one another spaced from the shell and providing a central opening of adjustable size in the crown suspension to enable the suspension to be fitted to the heads of different wearers; a core of soft, flexible, resilient material extending through the central opening of the crown suspension; and a pair of flanges each integral with an end of the core and each extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core forming between them a groove encircling the core receiving the securing means and the upper ends of the crown suspension straps, the length of the core being slightly greater than the thickness of the securing means and the upper ends of the crown suspension straps adjacent the central opening whereby the core is devoid of longitudinal stress causing deformation of the flanges, the

6 diameter of the core being no greater than the diameter of the central opening of the crown suspension when adjusted to its minimum value whereby, with the central opening so-adjusted, the core is essentially free of circumferential compressive stress causing deformation of the flanges, the diameter of each of the flanges being greater than the diameter of the central opening of the crown suspension when adjusted to its maximum value thereby to retain the core in its position extending through the central opening throughout the entire range of adjustment in size of the opening, one of the flanges being of flexible, resilient material capable of being deformed and passed through the central opening of the crown suspension to install the core in, and to remove it from, the central opening, the other flange being of soft, flexible material adapted to lie in smooth face to face contact with the lower surfaces of, and to flex with, the crown suspension straps thereby to present a smooth even surface and to protect the head of a wearer of the helmet from contact with the securing means and the upper ends of the crown suspension straps.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the core has a central bore extending longitudinally at least partially through the core from the end thereof adjacent the deformable flange.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flange opposite the deformable flange has a surface comprising an essentially nonelastic flexible material.

5. In a protective helmet having a shell adapted to encircle a wearers head in spaced relationship thereto, the combination including: a plurality of crown suspension straps each secured at one end to the inner surface of the shell at approximately the level with respect to a wearers head 'of a 'normal"hat'band"and each-extending upwardly and inwardly of the shell and adapted to lie flat on the crown of a wearers head; adjustable means securing the upper ends of the crown straps with respect to one another spaced from the shell and providing a central opening of adjustable size in the thus formed crown suspension to enable the suspension to be fitted to the heads of different wearers; a core of soft, flexible, resilient material extending through the central opening; and a pair of flanges each integral with an end of the core and each having a diameter greater than that of the central opening when the latter is adjusted to its maximum value and each extending beyond the core for a distance greater than the distance between the flanges whereby the crown piece is retained in the central opening throughout the entire range of adjustment of size of the opening, one of the flanges being of a flexible, resilient material adapted to be deformed and passed through the central opening to install the crown piece with the core extending through the opening, and to remove the crown piece, the other flange being of soft, flexible, resilient material lying in smooth face to face cont-act with the lower surfaces of, and flexing with, the crown suspension straps to protect the head of a wearer of the helmet from contact with the securing means and the upper ends of the crown suspension straps, the length of the core being slightly greater than the distance through the securing means and the upper ends of the crown suspension straps adjacent the central opening, and the diameter of the core being no greater than the diameter of the central opening when the latter is adjusted to its minimum value, whereby the core is at all times free of longitudinal and circumferential compressive stresses causing deformation of the flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,697,814 Forbes Ian. 1, 1929 1,915,249 Jorgensen June 20, 1933 1,974,160 Peirson Sept. 18, 1934 2,400,077 Dauster May 14, 1946 2,455,797 Myers et al Dec. 7, 1948 

